Evolution and Religion: The Conflict between Science and Theology in Modern America

only this, but interest in the scientific
theory of evolution has been greatly increased. Forbidden theories, like forbidden fruit, arouse curiosity, curiosity
leads to investigation, investigation to
learning. Even though this may result in
the specter of skepticism, and in the
weakening of faith, the process of mental
development cannot be reversed. The
stifling of freedom of thought or education often has this effect. Repression always feeds the enemy. . . .

Walter Lippmann:

FOUR DIALOGUES

I
DIALOGUE ON OLYMPUS

JEFFERSON, like other enlightened
men of his time, believed in the separation of church and state. He wished to
disestablish the church, which was then
supported out of public funds, and so
be declared that taxation for the propagation of opinions in which a man disbelieved was tyranny. But while he said
"opinions," he really meant theological
opinions. For ardently as he desired to
disestablish the church, he no less ardently desired to establish a system of
public education. He thought it quite
proper to tax the people to support the
public schools. For he believed that "by
advancing the minds of our youth with
the growing science of the times" the
public schools would be elevating them
"to the practice of the social duties and
functions of self-government."

One hundred and forty years later the
political leader who in his generation
professed to be Jefferson's most loyal
disciple, asked whether, if it is wrong to
compel people to support a creed they
disbelieved, it is not also wrong to compel them to support teaching which impugns the creed in which they do believe. Jefferson had insisted that the people should not have to pay for the teaching of Anglicanism. Mr. Bryan asked
why they should be made to pay for the
teaching of agnosticism.

Dialogue on Olympus

This was, I believe, a momentous question which we have been too busy to
debate. But perhaps by this time, Mr. Jefferson and Mr. Bryan have met on Olympus where there is plenty of time.
If they have, let us hope that Socrates
is present.

SOCRATES: I have been reading your
tombstone, Mr. Jefferson, and I see that
you are the author of the Declaration of
Independence, the Statute for Religious
Freedom, and that you are the Father of
the University of Virginia. You do not
mention more worldly honors. It is evident that your passion was for liberty
and for learning.

JEFFERSON: It was. I had, as I once said
to Dr. Rush, sworn upon the altar of God
eternal hostility against every form of
tyranny over the mind of man.

SOCRATES: And this I believe is Mr. Bryan, three times the chosen leader of
the party which you founded.

Reprinted by permission from Walter Lippmann, American Inquisitors, A Commentary on Dayton
land Chicago, New York, 1928, pp. 13-21, 37-66, 96-110.

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